The problem is that the term ‘hyperactivity’ is often used to describe excitable, naughty, restless or over-exuberant children. Needless to say, these are usually perfectly normal boys, whose behaviour and inattention come to light when challenged by the regime of school [government] discipline and often overcrowded classrooms [offices at Eland House] …

you and his school [department] can try the following:

1. Have realistic expectations – avoid situations which may be impossible to cope with eg long assemblies or church services [meetings], protracted meals, double sedentary lessons.

2. Try not to criticise or make negative comments – your son’s self-esteem will suffer if there is a constant stream of adult complaints about him.

3. Encourage and praise him if he works at solitary activities which involve sitting still eg Lego, jigsaws, reading, homework, computer work [writing Policy Exchange Speeches]..

4. Build on your son’s relationships with yourself and others by sharing activities with him and by encouraging him in team sports [such as defending Micheal Gove or undermining Teresa May].

5. Try to identify what are the main distractions in his environment both at home and at school [work] in the hope of removing them.

The Grasslands Trust team blog about nature conservation and broader environmental issues, always with a focus on our threatened grassland habitats. The views in this blog do not necessarily reflect those of the Trust.